Case studies

COMPANY A

Challenge

A significant fundraising round was followed by the sudden departure of the CEO, CFO, and controller, leaving the Finance and Administration function destabilized - weak controls, outdated systems, no analytics framework, and a demoralized team.

Actions

  • Restructured the accounting team and hired new financial leaders

  • Established a monthly close process for stronger insight and control

  • Implemented NetSuite ERP to modernize financial reporting

  • Aligned budgets with strategic objectives and introduced data-driven decision-making

  • Supported the CEO and board on long-term strategy execution

  • Prepared the company for a potential IPO alongside bankers and legal counsel

Results

  • Extended cash runway by one-third

  • Positioned F&A as a trusted strategic partner, not just a back office

  • Enabled a PCAOB-compliant audit with a rebuilt, confident team

  • Sharpened R&D focus and strengthened partnerships, boosting corporate value

  • Streamlined cash management to speed regulatory approval and market access

COMPANY B

Challenge

Financial leadership lacked the strategic mindset needed to guide the company into its next phase - particularly around setting priorities and making tough resource allocation decisions.

Actions

  • Issued a rallying cry for executives to step up, take ownership, and align efforts with the company's mission

  • Led a critical review of spending, evaluating every decision against corporate goals through a company-wide budget challenge

  • Coached the CEO on the financial and cash flow implications of key decisions, including board-level talking points and data-driven insights

  • Shifted financial close from quarterly to monthly and strengthened controls for more accurate, timely reporting

Results

  • Saved $125M+ annually while protecting time-to-market for core therapies

  • Delivered $15M in one-time savings through smarter purchasing timing and strategy

  • Cut the 2023 budget by 33% while preserving long-term objectives

COMPANY C

Challenge

A founder with an idea and seed capital needed help establishing every aspect of funding, financing, and operations.

Actions

  • Served as fractional CFO, owning all financial decisions and working closely with the board and founder to drive strategy and attract investment capital

  • Developed investor pitch materials and refined the marketing narrative to attract early-stage investors

Results

  • Funded Stage 1 research for proof-of-concept and initial mathematical modeling

  • Recruited leading experts to join the company as founders or employees

  • Established the full corporate and governance structure